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Original poster

Help - house next door to one we are buying is for sale - is it worth it?

91 replies

Evecob · 28/12/2020 19:46

We really would like everyone's opinion on this issue.

we are purchasing a property that was up for 315k - we bought for 308k. We love the house itself, it is perfect for us and our needs, it has a conservatory off the lounge which will be perfect as a playroom for our 2 children, however our niggle was the driveway. It has private parking beside the house for 2 cars one behind the other. There is parking nearby in a shared carpark for any guests we would have, we could have people park directly in front of the house but would be tight for the house on the end to get by. We have visited the house and area a few times and we both have said "ahh if only next door came up for sale instead" purely for the parking space they have - the house next door has 2 parking spaces to the side like ours except their house is tilted slightly to allow more room to get in and out and at least one private designated space in front of their house for visitors. There could be more room for another car if the whole space was bricked over. They are also on the end, so while we both have field views to the front, their house has it to the side as well.
Their house came up 2 days ago for offers in excess of 300k.

We are due to complete end of january. The lady buying our property is pretty much ready to exchange, we are still waiting on the solicitor forms from our sellers (they are in, but our solicitor wasn't ready, we will be getting them on the 4th when they are back in office). Our sellers are ending the chain.

To compare, the houses are exactly the same structurally in terms of rooms and room sizes, the one we are buying does have nicer flooring throughout, has a kitchen splashback, and has a conservatory, but the house next door has the wider parking to the side and bigger front space for extra parking. We bought for 308K. house next door up for offers over 300k.

If they were happy to end the chain, what would you do? We have had our searches back already, and had a mortgage offer back already, going through a broker. If we decided to go for the house next door, would we have to reapply for searches/mortgage and pay out again for them? is it worth the hassle? I'm worried if it takes longer our buyer might pull out but my husband thinks it is worth asking their situation, as we might regret it in years to come.

OP posts:

Original poster

Evecob · 30/12/2020 07:29

@GrumpyHoonMain

Are they being listed by the same estate agent? If so be prepared for them to refuse to show you the property if you pull out at this late stage. We had a number of offers from people who did this that never got put in front of us as the estate agent flagged them as not serious - it was even on their marketing report lol.

wow, no it isn't, it's a different agent. We debated calling yesterday but decided against it as we do love the house we are getting.

Thanks all for your opinions it has helped.

OP posts:

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 30/12/2020 08:04

TBH I can see the attraction of the end house.

I sold a house to a couple who had originally progressed a sale on our neighbours.

In the end you have to weigh up the risk of not getting it, and the potential costs involved.

shallbe · 30/12/2020 08:39

I can see the attraction to the end house, however I really don't think I could disrupt a house sale at this stage for one extra parking space, our previous house was a driveway like the one you are buying and it was fine, it was worse in fact as it was shared which caused other issues, but we just tried to preempt who was coming and going first, it really wasn't a huge deal, we now have side by side parking but the fact it is private is what we enjoy more than side by side tbh! Are you selling a house too? If so I definitely couldn't disrupt that.

Similar happened to us last time actually, put an offer on and next door went up a month or so later, it had a much bigger garden but I couldn't start again, we knew it wasn't our forever home though, if this isn't your long term home it would be another reason not to disrupt I think.

HeronLanyon · 30/12/2020 08:42

Wondered if the development is being extended in those neighbouring fields. Assume you’ve done a good search and for yourselves also in la planning search portal ?

Buttercupcup · 30/12/2020 08:58

What if you ended up with neither house? It’s a risk. Potentially pull out of the house you are buying, lose your buyer and someone comes along with a good offer and ready to roll on the house next door. If it’s a popular area there could be multiple bids in excess of what you are paying next door, add in missing the stamp duty holiday and the cost of flooring/conservatory etc it would be a very expensive parking space or potentially leave you back at square one. We have a similar drive and either just swap cars or I park on the road size for half an hour until DH gets on then one of us moves the car.

Original poster

Evecob · 30/12/2020 09:02

@HeronLanyon

Wondered if the development is being extended in those neighbouring fields. Assume you’ve done a good search and for yourselves also in la planning search portal ?

We have checked, its a green belt with a dyke close by. We checked development plans for the area up til 2036 and there are no plans there, there are in the area about half a mile to the right but not here, another big attraction for the house

OP posts:

Original poster

Evecob · 30/12/2020 09:03

@shallbe

We are currently in a 3 bed with no garage, so this is supposed to be our biggest step up for our family until kids move out - we have 2 small children 5 months and 2 years old. So yeah, we kinda wanted this as a forever home.

OP posts:

whenwillthemadnessend · 30/12/2020 09:12

This is why our system is all wrong. People should be committed when the have the offer accepted.

I'd unhinge you wouldn't be popular in the street if you did this. People talk.

mrscampbellblackagain · 30/12/2020 09:12

I would go and look at the other house.

You are making probably the biggest purchase of your life and you need to be sure.

Original poster

Evecob · 30/12/2020 09:14

It does feel a bit frustrating, but we do prefer the house we are buying inside for our immediate needs so we will try and focus on that. Like a lot of you have pointed out its a massive risk, and the new house would likely cost a lot more overall buying the same type of conservatory and flooring etc, money we want to use for other things in the house.

Thank for everyones views

OP posts:

whenwillthemadnessend · 30/12/2020 09:16

Looking at pic it looks like the neighbours play equipment is right up against your table area on the end house. I'd hate that. Sitting there trying to eat while the neighbours kids scream and shout. For that reason I'd get the conservatory one. It has more privacy as the out buildings are against the garden either side.

ShesMadeATwatOfMePam · 30/12/2020 14:34

If i was the sellers of the new house, i wouldn't sell to someone who was happy to pull out of a sale so late on anyway. Doesn't inspire trust that you won't do the same to them.

ZenNudist · 30/12/2020 14:44

There's not a lot in it. Conservatory over parking. I agree the parking faff is going to annoy you. Id park one on drive one on road

WildfirePonie · 30/12/2020 15:33

Are you going to be able to use the conservatory all year round or are you planning on replacing the glass roof with something solid?

Coconuts2020 · 02/01/2021 21:44

If this is a forever house, eventually the parking will annoy you with both houses when your kids are old enough to drive — I agree stick with the one you’ve got.

Jenasaurus · 02/01/2021 21:54

I feel a bit sorry for the owners of the house you are buying and the whole chain as they too may miss the stamp duty deadline. I understand that buying a home is a large decision and you have to get it right but I still feel sorry for them

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